Electric ozone generator



J. M. DAILY ELECTRIC OZONE GENERATOR Filed May 18, 1936 00000 0 0 0 OOOOAOO Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC OZONE GENERATOR ration of Illinois Application May 18,

7 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to ozone generators. More particularly the invention relates to that type of generator which operates to produce ozone or ozonous air by an 5 electrical discharge and comprises as the main or essential parts thereof a cylinder of dielectric material, a cylindrical high tension electrode within, and fitting against the inner face of, the dielectric cylinder, a cylindrical grounded electrode extending around and concentrically positioned with respect to the dielectric cylinder and spaced from the inner electrode so as to form therebetween a combined air passage and spark gap for the formation of ozone by an electrical discharge from the high tension electrode to the grounded one, and a step-up transformer embedded in a mass of insulating material within the dielectric cylinder and connected to supply high voltage current to the high tension electrode.

One object of the invention is to provide an electric ozone generator of this type which is an improvement upon and is more durable and ellicient than previously designed generators "of the same general character by reason of the fact that the dielectric cylinder is in the form of a glass jar and includes at one end thereof an integral cross-wall which is positioned adjacent to and spaced from one end of the step-up transformer.

"Another object of the invention is to provide an ozone generator of the last mentioned character which includes adjacent to the cross-wall of the jar-formed dielectric cylinder, a motor driven fan wheel for directing air against the cross-wall and in which the cross-wall is joined to the cylinder by means of a curved or rounded formation which causes the air after it has struck or impinged against the cross-wall to flow in a thin tubular stream through the combined air passage and spark gap between the two electrodes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ozone generator of the type under consideration in which the other end of the jar-formed dielectric cylinder is outwardly flared and together with a metallic ring therearound forms a conical shoulder against which one end of the cylindrical grounded electrode fits and by which said electrode is concentrically positioned with respect to the dielectric cylinder and the high tension electrode.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ozone generator which is extremely efiicient in operation, may be manufactured at 1936, Serial No. 80,362

a low and reasonable cost, and is especially designed for use in purifying or deodorizing air.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present generator construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description. a

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of an ozone generator embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

The ozone generator which is shown in the drawing is of the electrical variety and constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is designed primarily for use in purifying or deodorizing air and comprises a cylinder 3 of dielectric material, a cylindrical high tension electrode 4 within the cylinder 3, a cylindrical grounded electrode 5 around the cylinder, and astep-up transformer 6 for supplying high voltage current to the high tension electrode 4.

The dielectric cylinder 3 is in the form of a vertically extending glass jar and embodies at the upper end thereof an integral imperforate cross-wall I. The latter isflat and, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, is joined to the upper end of the cylinder 3 by means of an annular wall 8, The outer surface of this wall is rounded orsmoothly curved and the curve is a quadrantal one. The lower end of the cylinder is flared outwardly and has suitably aflixed to the outer surface thereof a conical ring 9. This ring is formed of conducting material such as metaland its lower end projects downwards below the flared lower end of the cylinder 3 and has an internal annular seat III in its bottom margin. The dielectric cylinder 3 is filled with a mass H of conducting material and is sealed or closed at its lower end by a circular metallic plate H! which is imperforate and contacts with, and fits within the annular seat ill of, the conical ring 9. The insulating material of which the mass II is formed is adapted when heated to run or flow and at normal temperatures is slightly resilient or plastic. The mass is induced into the dielectric cylinder by first heating it and then pouring it into the cylinder while the latter is in an inverted position and the plate I2 is disconnected from the conicalring 9.

The cylindrical high tension electrode 4 is formed of wire screen and fits against the inner face of the dielectric cylinder 3. It is held in place by the mass it of insulating material and terminates at its upper end directly beneath the rounded or smoothly curved annular wall 8 which forms an integral part of the cylinder 3 and joins the cross-wall 1 to the upper end of the cylinder. The lower end of the wire screenhigh tension electrode 4 terminates above the flared lower end of the dielectric cylinder 3 and is spaced a sufiicient distance from the conical metallic ring 9 so that arcing or shorting is avoided. By reason of the fact that the high tension electrode is embedded in the mass H of insulating material it and the inner face of the dielectric cylinder 3 are protected against moisture and the accumulation of dust and hence there is no likelihood of flash-overs or short circuiting.

The cylindrical grounded electrode 5, like the high tension electrode 4, is formed of wire screen. It is of greater diameter than, and is concentrically arranged with respect to, the dielectric cylinder 3 and terminates at the upper end thereof at.

the same height or level as the high tension electrode 4. The annular space between the grounded electrode and the dielectric cylinder 3 constitutes or serves as a combined air passage and spark gap in which ozone or ozonous air is formed during an electrical discharge from the high tension electrode to the grounded electrode. The lower end of the groundedelectrode is flared slightly outwards as shown in Figure l, and rests upon the upper or small end of the conical ring 9. The lower end of the dielectric cylinder 3 is flared to a greater extent than the lower end of the high tension electrode and together with the ring 9 forms a conical shoulder which supports the grounded electrode and serves automatically to position the grounded electrode concentrically with respect to the cylinder 3 when it is placed in its proper operative position with respect to the high tension electrode.

The step-up transformer 6 is embedded in the mass H of insulating material and is centrally disposed with respect to the dielectric cylinder 3. It is supplied with current by a pair of conductors l3 and I4, and consists of a laminated core forming frame l5 a primary coil l6 and a secondary coil l1. The frame contacts with and rests on the circular plate l2 and is electrically connected to the grounded electrode 5 for grounding purposes by way of the plate l2 and the conical ring 9 around the lower outwardly flared end of the dielectric cylinder 3. As shown in Figure l the frame is substantially rectangular and embodies a pair of elongated, vertically extending, laterally spaced openings l8 and a central core member [9 between the two openings. The primary coil It extends around the lower end of the core member I9 and the ends thereof are connected respectively to the conductors l3 and M. The latter lead from the primary coil through the mass In of insulating material and pass through aligned holes 20 and 2| in the flared lower end of the dielectric cylinder 3 and the conical metallic ring 9. The secondary coil I8 is mounted on and extends around the upper end of the central core member I9 and one end thereof is connected by a conductor 22 to the frame IS. The other end of the secondary ,coil is connected by a conductor 23 to the cylindrical high tension electrode 4 which extends around the inner face of the dielectric cylinder 3. When current is supplied to the transformer l5, high voltage current is induced in the secondary coil 18' and this high voltage current passes through the conductor. 23 to the high tension electrode .4. From the high tension electrode 4 the high voltage current passes in the form of a silent discharge across the combined air-passage and spark gap to the grounded electrode 5. As the result of the silent discharge, a portion of the air in the combined air passage and spark gap is formed into ozone and the balance is' highly ionized and as a result of the action of the ozone and its ionization is purified and deodorized. The amount of ozone which is produced by the silent discharge is determined by the spacing of the grounded electrode from the high tension the combined air passage and spark gap and when the spacing of the grounded electrode from the high tension electrode is increased the amount of ozone decreases accordingly.

In addition to the dielectric cylinder, the two electrodes, and the step-up transformer 6 the generator comprises a casing 24 and an electric fan 25 for drawing air into the casing and forcing it through the combined air passage and spark gap between the electrodes. 24 surrounds the dielectric cylinder and the two electrodes and consists of a polygonal side wall 26, a bottom 21, and a foraminous or perforated top 28. The side wall 26 is foraminous and extends around and is spaced from the grounded electrode 5. The bottom 21 closes the lower end of the side wall and has an upstanding marginal flange 29 which fits around and is suitably secured to the bottom margin of the casing side wall. The plate l2 enclosing the lower end of the dielectric cylinder 3 rests on and is suitably secured to the casing bottom 21 and the latter, as shown in Figure 1 is imperforate. The top 28 serves as a closure for the upper end of the side wall of the casing and embodies a depending marginal skirt 3!) whereby it is removably secured to the top or upper margin of the casing side wall. The fan 25 is located in the upper portion of the casing 24 and comprises an elzktric motor 3! and a fan wheel 32. The motor is located directly beneath the central portion of the foraminous or perforated top 28 and the casing thereof is secured fixedly to the top by means of posts 33. The fan wheel 32 is located directly over the cross-wall 1 of the jar-formed dielectric cylinder 3 and is fixedly secured to the armature shaft of the motor 3|. The blades of the fan Wheel are so angled than when the wheel is driven by the motor air is drawn or sucked into the upper portion of the casing 24 and'is projected or deflected downwards against the crosswall 1. After striking against the cross-wall 1 the air, due to the action of the rounded or smoothly curved annular wall 8, is caused to flow downwards in a thin tubular stream through the combined air passage and spark gap between the high tension and the grounded electrodes. During passage of the air between the electrodes a portion thereof is formed into ozone, as hereinbefore described, and the balance is highly ionized and is purified as well as deodorized as the result of its ionization and the action of the ozone. A portion of the purified and deodorized The casing air flows outwards through the interstices in the grounded electrode 5 and the balance, after completely traversing the combined air passage and spark gap, flows through longitudinally extending grooves 34 in the conical ring 9 and passes out of the casing by way of the openings or holes in the lower portion of the polygonal side wall 26 of the casing 24.

The herein described generator consists of but a small number of parts and may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost. It is extremely efficient in operation and is not likely to injure anyone when it is handled or operated due to the fact that the transformer and the high tension electrode are embedded in the mass H of insulating material in the jar-formed dielectric cylinder 3.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit an scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A generator for the purpose set forth, comprising in combination a jar-type dielectric embodying a continuous side wall with an integral cross-wall at one end thereof, a high tension electrode disposed within the dielectric and extending around the inner face of the side Wall thereof, a grounded electrode extending around the side wall of the dielectric, a step-up transformer connected to supply high voltage current to the high tension electrode and disposed in the central portion of the dielectric and with one end thereof in spaced relation with the cross-wall, and a mass of insulating material surrounding the transformer and completely covering said one end of the transformer and filling the space between the latter and said cross-wall.

2. A generator for the purpose set forth, comprising in combination a jar-type dielectric embodying a continuous cylindrical side wall with an integral cross-wall at one end thereof, a high tension electrode disposed within the dielectric and extending around the inner face of said side wall, a grounded electrode extending around and spaced outwardly from the outer face of said side wall of the dielectric and forming with the latter a combined air passage and spark gap, a step-up transformer disposed in the central portion of the dielectric with one end thereof in spaced relation with the cross-wall and connected to supply high voltage current to the high tension electrode for discharge to the grounded electrode in order to form ozone in the combined air passage and spark gap, a mass of insulating material surrounding the transformer and completely covering saidone end of the transformer and filling the space between the latter and said cross-wall, and means at the other end of the side wall of the dielectric forming a conical seat for receiving the adjoining end of the grounded electrode and holding said last mentioned electrode in concentric position with respect to the side wall of the dielectric.

3. In a generator of the character described, the combination of a dielectric cylinder, a high tension electrode disposed within the cylinder and extending around the inner face thereof, a cylindrical grounded electrode extending around the outer face of said dielectric cylinder, means for supplyinghigh voltage current to the high tension electrode for discharge to the grounded electrode for ozone forming purposes, means for supplying air under pressure toward one end of the dielectric cylinder, a cross-wall extending across said one end of the dielectric cylinder and against which theair under pressure is adapted tostrike, and an annular wall extending between and connecting the outer margin of the cross-wall and said one end of thedielectric cylinder and having a smoothly curved external surface whereby the air after striking against the cross-wall is caused to flow in a thin tubular stream lengthwise along the grounded electrode.

4. In a generator of the character described, the combination of a dielectric cylinder, a high tension electrode disposed within the cylinder and extending around the inner face thereof, a cylindrical grounded electrode extending around and spaced from the outer face of said dielectric cylinder and forming with said cylinder an annular combined air passage and spark gap, means for supplying high voltage current to the high tension electrode for discharge to the grounded electrode in order to form ozone in said combined air passage and spark gap, means for supplying air under pressure toward one end of. the dielectric cylinder, a cross-wall extending across said one end of the dielectric cylinder against which the air under pressure is adapted to strike, and an annular wall extending between and connecting the outer margin of the cross-wall and said one end of the dielectric cylinder and having a smoothly curved external surface whereby the air after striking against the cross-wall is caused to flow in a thin tubular stream through said annular combined air passage and spark gap.

5. In a generator of the character described, the combination of a dielectric cylinder, a high tension electrode disposed within the cylinder extending around the inner face thereof, a cylindrical wire screen grounded electrode extending around the outer face of said dielectric cylinder, means for supplying high voltage current to the high tension electrode for discharge to the grounded electrode for ozone forming purposes, a motor driven fan wheel positioned adjacent to, and adapted to supply air under pressure toward, one end of the dielectric cylinder, a cross-wall of dielectric material extending across said one end of the cylinder against which the air under pressure from the fan wheel is adapted to strike, and an annular wall of dielectric material formed integrally with and connecting the outer margin of the cross-wall and said one end of the dielectric cylinder and having a smoothly curved external surface whereby the air after striking against the cross-wall is caused to fiow in a thin tubular stream lengthwise along the grounded electrode.

6. In a generator of the character described, the combination of a dielectric cylinder, a high tension electrode disposed within the cylinder and extending around the inner face thereof, a cylindrical grounded electrode extending around and spaced outwardly from the outer face of said dielectric cylinder and forming with the cylinder an annular combined air passage and spark gap, means for supplying high voltage current to the high tension electrode for discharge to the grounded electrode in order to form ozone in the combined air passage and spark gap, a motor driven fan wheel disposed adjacent to, and adapted to deliver air under pressure toward, one end of the dielectric cylinder, a cross-wall extending across said one end of the cylinder and against which the air under pressure from the fan wheel s adapted to strike, and an annular wall'extending between and connecting the outer margin of the cross wall at said one end of the dielectric cylinder, and having a quadrantally curved outer surface whereby the air after striking against the cross wall is caused to flow in a thin tubular stream through the combined air passage and spark gap.

7. A generator for the purpose set forth, combining in combination a dielectric cylinder, a high tension electrode disposed within the cylinder and extending around the inner face thereof, a cylindrical grounded electrode extending around the outer face of said cylinder, a step-up transformer disposed within the central portion of the dielec- 

